Chapter 26

I was rudely woken from my blissful, dreamless sleep early the next morning by a sharp pinch and a yank of my tail. With a yelp, I leapt to my paws and spun to face my attacker, my back arched and my teeth bared in a snarl, yet when my eyes found the one responsible, I let out a sigh. Saphira was crouched with her head and front half of her body down, touching the gem floor while her back half was standing upright, rear swaying and her tail whipping about, much like a very playful dog.

Farther behind her and standing by the entrance of her chosen cave was a snickering Eragon and, much to my embarrassment, Orik and a human girl were watching the whole ordeal while trying to hold in their laughter. With a snort, I refocused on the playful dragoness.

"It's about time you woke up Wrathion! The city is already awake and Orik is already here! We don't know why the human is here though.." Saphira's energetic mental voice made me groan, how I became the hard one to wake and she the early riser this morning, I'll never know.

I broadened my mental voice after straightening where I sat.

"Well, since you seem to have such energy, then you shouldn't complain doing a few rounds of the city's outer walls, that means you as well Eragon." I gave them both a teeth-filled smirk, taking in Saphira's defeated expression and Eragon's fish expression before giving the Dwarf and human my attention while the duo were stunned. Orik was grinning at my charges while the girl, who still looked shocked at hearing my voice, quickly pulled herself back together upon realizing my eyes were on her. She hastily touched a clasped fist to her breast in a sort of salute and stammered out her reason for being present. "A-apologies great dragon, I am Kyra. While Orik is supposed to be the guide of Rider Eragon and dragoness Saphira, he is but one dwarf. With that in mind, Ajihad tasked me as your guide whenever you are not with our other guests. I am also responsible in making sure Eragon is properly clothed and anything you three require in the holds are promptly brought to you."

I remained silent as I took in her words while I looked her over. Tanned, close to matching mine and Murtagh's age, quite lovely looking, and dressed in a tunic and trousers like Arya instead of the dresses all other women were dressed in. I heard Saphira growl/grumble from where she retreated next to Eragon but ignored it in favor of responding.

"Well met Lady Kyra. I take it from your attire that you are one of the Varden's runners?" At her surprised nod, I continued. "Then would you like to join us for a run? I have three beings who stand to benefit from it and it'd give Eragon and Tornac a challenge."

Saphira growled louder and out of the corner of my eye, I saw her glaring at Kyra, whatever her issue was, I'll address it later. Kyra also noticed the glare and averted her eyes and she hastily made her reply.

"While I'm honored for the invitation, Great One, I must decline. Today my duties are to tend to Eragon's attire and properly furnish the holds you and Saphira have chosen, also while yourselves look amazing, I am sure you would all like to bathe your spectacular scales from your travels. Orik will take you to the bathing caverns then to the king for your audiences."

I raised an eyeridge at the flattery and her continuous avoidance of making eye contact but let it go.

"Then we won't keep you from your duties."

I heard Orik chuckle right after Eragon shouted out. "Wha? Hey! I can walk Saphira!"

Looking over, I let out a chuckle of my own. Saphira had picked Eragon up by the back of his tunic in her jaws and was padding over to the dwarf, carrying her rider like a momma cat would her kitten.

"We are going straight for the baths. The human girl is correct, we do not have time to go looking around on the way there. Come Wrathion." She gave Orik a get going gesture with a paw and a growl around a mortified Eragon. I shook my head and sighed before I bobbed my head to my guide in dismissal then turned back to my hold. Or rather the solid wall of stone where another was supposed to be.

"Mind staying behind with Brom, teach? I feel bad about leaving you in a dark sealed room but I have no doubt the king will be curious as to why I'm carrying a bag around my neck and I do not want to risk angering him by denying him a look and making it harder for Eragon and Saphira."

"Not at all!, I can find ways to amuse myself for the time being."

I gave a sigh as I touched the solid wall, making it crumble away revealing the hidden hold. The gasps of amazement turned to ones of startlement when one of the golems stepped forward, one stone hand gripping a stone halberd and the other open and outstretched in which I placed the bag from around my neck. I sent a gentle mental rumble to my beloved mentor as the golem retreated and the wall reformed and I turned to the dragoness growling impatiently.

"Go ahead, There are a few things I must settle here with my guide then I'll follow you."

Saphira narrowed her eyes at me and with a huff of smoke that left Eragon coughing, stomped out of the hold with the Dwarf in the lead. The moment her stomps faded, I returned to my hold and pulled out the saddlebags then moved back to a thoroughly confused girl.

"I have a favor to ask of you Lady Kyra."

She quickly regained her composure and gave another of those salutes.

"Anything Lord Wrathion, if it's reasonable then I'll see that it's done."

I sent her a feeling of thanks then dug out two dozen assorted seashells, the very same ones I gathered back in Teirm that I knew Saphira liked. By the growing interest and appraising look, so did the girl.

"I would like to have these turned into a necklace, one meant for a dragoness. I think a string of chainmail links so as to not fray when in contact with scales and chains can have links added to make up for our constant growth. Also If it isn't much trouble, I'd like the shells themselves warded to be preserved against becoming brittle with age. I only ask this isn't asked of those ... twins. Perhaps the female mage with a serpent bracelet I saw when we arrived. If the smiths and mages are hesitant then you can tell them that I, Wrathion, asked for this and should they fulfill it then I would in turn owe them a favor."

A gentle smile graced her features as she began gathering the shells into the satchel she carried although the queen conch shell and larger ones didn't fit, forcing her to hug them to her chest.

"Forgive me, but I wasn't aware dragons gave trinkets to their mates as well."

I snorted, shaking my head. "She isn't my mate… just friends."

She frowned then turned for the exit of the hold, only stopping once she reached it to look back at me.

"If I may be so bold, Great One. A girl wouldn't have such a jealous look if she didn't already see you as hers. She may be a dragon but it was easy to see the look she was giving me every time you conversed or looked at me, and something tells me a girl like her will act that way to any female you talk to until you either accept both of your feelings or turn her down. Just.. if you plan to do the second thing, can you please do it outside the city? I really do not want to clean up after an enraged dragon."

Even if the last part was said in jest, I could tell she was worried about that. Without waiting for any more words or even a dismissal, the girl disappeared out of sight. I snorted a stream of smoke as I sighed, and zeroing in on Saphira's scent, let my body move on autopilot with just enough thought to be mindful of where I stepped while I let my mind wander as I pondered what exactly I was told. Was Saphira jealous? Was that why she went from playful to huffy? Hmm, now that I think about it… She changed the moment Kyra mentioned she was to be my personal guide, but why? Sure Kyra was cute for a…human! My mental eyes widened. Of course, Saphira knows I was once human, knows only human culture and I even mentioned how I felt about girls to her. Surely she didn't…

My body instinctively stopped and waited as a platoon marched out of a corridor and into another. Once passed I began moving, giving my head a shake. Even if I did find Kyra attractive and if she wasn't already taken, getting into a relationship with a human makes me feel even more uncomfortable than letting myself get involved with a dragoness! I paused in my thoughts as I came to a massive archway, the marble flooring transitioning to hewn stone that angled down in a gentle slope and around a bend. The granite ramp was scored by countless talons from heavy traffic of its past. The passage itself was massive. Five of me could stroll down it side by side and still have room for comfort. Saphira's scent led down but also out and down the corridor telling me she already cleansed herself and left to meet up with Eragon. That was fine, I still needed to think. I made my way down the ramp until it opened up to an immense cavern. All around were different sizes of naturally made hot springs on various tiers. Spread out were thick pillars connecting the ceiling to the floor made of the same stone and covering these were lamps five times bigger than the ones in the city above. Even with their larger size, they were only able to illuminate some of the sprawling space. Next to each of the pools were walls with porous, uneven surfaces and upon smelling the closest one and finding Saphira's scent, realized they were for dragons to rub against to scrub their scales. Choosing the same one as she did, I went about rubbing against it. To my surprise a lather of sorts began to build on my body and when I submerged in the very relaxing hot water my scales had a polished sheen to them. I resumed cleaning with a renewed happiness until my whole body gleamed, even my horns in which I gathered some on my paws and rubbed on the ebony protrusions then did the same on my tail. I want to say I didn't strut back into the city with my neck arched and head held high but I couldn't help it. I felt like a new drake, the only issue I had with my now shimmering look was that I couldn't reach the bone crest running the length of my neck. The various scuffs and scratch marks were still visible and its dullness stood out to the rest of me. I grabbed the saddle bags I had brought with me back up into my maw from where I sat them and met Kyra once more at the top of the ramp. After praising my shining form, she led me down the same path Saphira's scent led. To the dwarven king's throne room. There was a reason I had Eragon and Saphira go before and separate from me, and while I'd never tell them so, I felt it was best in case they made any blunders that I could mend matters. True, Eragon acquitted himself quite well in the books but If the meeting with Ajihad was any indication then this Hrothgar could be anything from reasonable and calm to short tempered. I glanced down at the bags idly swinging from my jaws. Taking the dawrve's culture and history I learned from Umaroth to mind, I had begun to cultivate these precious gifts in secret and out of sight of everyone save for Fiori. The foundations were aided by the White dragon when I told him of my plans and with his memory, helped me to get these gifts right.

Giving my guide a glance, I mentally slumped upon remembering my previous train of thought. I really needed to straighten myself out after this meeting was over. We came to a stop in front of a large door decorated with a seven pointed crown. Seven Dwarves stood on each side facing each other, in full mail and wielding jewel encrusted war mattocks. It was quite impressive as not even their eyes twitched in my direction at my rumbling steps. I stopped just before their line, my guide taking a few steps in front and with a loud, clear voice that echoed along the corridors, presented me.

"I bring the great dragon Wrathion, the Silver Wraith and Earthrender, at the request of his majesty Hrothgar!"

There was a brief silence to let the last of the echos to linger then in unison, every guard raised and slammed the butt of their weapons on the stone floor twice. Upon the resounding bang of the second hit, the large doors swung soundlessly inward revealing a long, high vaulted hallway lined with alcoves, some occupied with the statues of the previous kings. My claws clicked on the polished floor echoing the chamber as I strode towards the figure sitting upon the throne. Hrothgar looked every part of earth's vision of dwarves and, while I knew he couldn't use magic, he had this aura of power around him. The dwarf king did not stir as I stopped no less than ten paces from him, gently sat my bags down then sat myself on my haunches. I unfurled my wings as much as I could without clipping the empty alcoves and lowered my head down to my chest. Figuring it wouldn't hurt, I addressed the king.

"Hail to Hrothgar, king under the mountain, welder of Volund, descendent of Korgan."

I suppose the surprise was understandable seeing as I not only knew who he was but spoke to him in clear dwarvish. He shifted and sat straighter, his eyes became intense as he studied me.

"A dragon who not only shows respect but knows our tongue? I was told you are one of the savage wildborn beasts yet you seem far more civil than that blue that was here with her rider, Why is that I wonder?"

I just chuckled. "I blame those who found and raised me. They were.. Quite strict in their teachings. Taught me many things, History of these lands, languages, politics. All in the hopes of freeing these lands."

"Hm, and why are you here, dragon? What is it that made you come here to our city? I was alive during the riders' height of power, I've met a few wild dragons of that era. They were selfish, violent, and unbothered by the happenings of this land right up to the point the mad king started to hunt them down. Any of them would've left these lands to its fate, yet you of their kin, whom have far more intelligence than they, have chosen to interfere where they would've simply waited events out. Are you here out of desire to truly help? Or is it because that female decided to come here and that you simply followed?"

I growled and ignored that last question.

"I am here to protect my friends and to see order restored. With the egg-breaker on the throne there is no future for my kind. How could I, the last free dragon, stand aside and leave the future of my kind to you dwarves and the humans? Not when I'm far more dangerous than all my previous kin."

Hrothgar shifted on his throne, leaning forward.

"Is that so? Even the king's beast?"

I nodded, my eyes locked unwavering with his with a brightening glow.

"I am the only dragon to wield powers on the level of the strongest of mages. Including the brat playing king."

I felt Fiori listening in and felt her pride.

"You dwarves lived in fear of the traitors but you had the option to retreat with these mountains. But NO prey or enemy of mine can do the same for I am the master of the earth."

At that statement, the ethereal flames wisped from my eyes and the runes covering my body blazed to life. Dirt, stone, dust all within that ancient chamber began to converge on me and my forelegs, forming a set of draconic bracers of polished black with golden filigree trimming. The king Jolted from his throne, hammer in hand, and turned one way then another, watching it all in surprise and amazement. I grinned internally at his reaction. The dwarf king seemed to come alive. His eyes widening further as two golems, in the form of dwarves themselves, pulled themselves from the stone walls, marched to me before turning to him and saluting in a fashion I've seen the real ones do. The king approached them cautiously, Volund held at ready, and tapped them with the hammer's head, swearing as he heard the clink of metal on stone.

"Barzûl! It is as if Helzvog himself is in audience!"

He watched as both they and my bracers crumbled and returned to the dust they were made of then met my eyes once more. I could feel the wonder seeping from him.

"Who are you, dragon? How is it, that one who me and my kin hate, wield a blessing from one of our gods?"

I simply shook my head.

"I know not why your majesty. I can only guess I am meant to be as a last resort. Perhaps the world herself is tired of having that traitor reside upon it. One way or another, your highness, he will perish. Be it by Eragon's blade, or by the fury of Sindri."

I growled out, the glow of my eyes brightening. I could see he took notice of me naming the dwarven goddess of the earth and it seemed to please him that a dragon seemed respectful of his gods. In truth, I didn't, but Umaroth did say when dealing with others, to always look for possible persuasion paths. Making my powers cater to the dwarves' religious superstitions to earn their trust was just one such opportunity. Perhaps it was cruel, but if it would aid in getting the clans to accept Eragon and Saphira, I'd do anything. Speaking of, I dipped my head down and nudged my satchel's open with my nose then very carefully, reached in to begin pulling out several round stones the size of a grapefruit. In all, there were thirteen. Once out,I pulled my bags far off to the side and looked up. Seeing the king watching with interest, I spoke up.

"I bring gifts to the clans, your highness. I knew far back before Saphira would hatch, we would have to meet with your people. On that end, during my time training to master my gifts, I used them along with instruction from my teachers to create these. Originally, quite frankly, I planned to use these as a means of an apology if Eragon had somehow blundered during his audience with you. I am quite pleased he and Saphira acquitted themselves well. Since that is the case, please accept these as tokens of thanks for taking us into your city."

Seeing the interest in his eyes, I took a deep breath… then let a small flame flicker out and gently lap against the stone orbs. Slowly the stone began to crack then crumble revealing perfectly round diamonds of various colors from the clear white to onyx. I stopped my breath once the last of the stone turned to dust, the white flames briefly making the various gems within the diamonds sparkle. Hrothgar slowly approached, the just for jewels and gold clear in his eyes. I looked over them and, reaching out, plucked the one I wanted and held it out to him. He briefly glanced at me then took it from my paw, wonder and joy on his face. The gem was a bright red diamond and in the center was a hammer made from a garnet head and onyx handle and surrounding it were twelve tiny stars. I held out the others in my other paws, gaining his attention. Each one had the twelve stars but the center held the main symbol for each clan. Hrothgar went and placed Volund upon his throne along with the jewel of his clans before he returned for the others. I met him halfway and he took them from me as if he was afraid they'd shatter at the lightest touch, the wonder never leaving as he inspected them.

"These are marvelous! How? They're flawless!"

I chuckled as the great Hrothgar threw out the regal mask to admire the treasures I handed to him and his people.

"With a lot of concentration and energy from me. I hope you would accept these in good standing."

He nodded his head, never once pulling his eyes from the gems. "Aye dragon, no…" He then turned his head and met my own gaze. "..Wrathion, I for one will treasure mine clan's, and I am sure the others will as well."

I bowed my head to him and when I lifted my head up to leave I was surprised to see him inclining his head in return. I turned and walked back down the hallway, feeling quite pleased with myself. Hopefully our time here will be less tense. I pulled myself out of my mental 'To Do' list as the doors opened…

…and came muzzle to muzzle with a glaring blue dragoness.

Oh dear…

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Saphira

Saphira's morning was going great. She had a long, unworried and uninterrupted rest, and got to surprise Wrath in front of others. Yes, all was going well, that is until the human girl who came in with the dwarf said she was meant to be Wrath's guide instead of the dwarf with her and her rider. She could feel the interest and curiosity in Wrath's mind and instantly her good mood soured. Her mood only worsened when Wrathion, HER male invited this female to join them in an exercise lesson. She was quite pleased when this girl took her warning and declined the invitation. To make matters worse, she saw the same curiosity in her rider's eyes. Ooh no, not at chance! Before Eragon could move to the rungs to climb down, Saphira plucked him from the edge by the loose skin human calls clothes and made her way to the dwarf who was now watching and chuckling.

"Wha? HEY! I can walk Saphira!"

"We are going straight for the baths. The human girl is correct, we do not have time to go looking around on the way there. Come Wrathion."

She waited Impatiently as Wrath went to the hidden hold that held the sleeping old one and gave Brom's protectors the strange bag that Wrath allowed no one, not even her, to open. She felt a sense of pride for the power he wielded and hoped when she finally talked to him, she could show him she was worthy of his love. Her plans and good feelings abruptly vanished with his next words.

"Go ahead, There are a few things I must settle here with my guide then I'll follow you."

Saphira raged in her mind but only allowed her to snort smoke at the refusal. The cough her rider made briefly made her anger waiver, but after checking he was alright, she returned to seething in her mind. Very vaguely she felt the embarrassment of her partner from others witnessing her carrying him but she paid no mind. That is until Eragon mentally spoke to her.

"Saphira! Can you please put me down? We're almost to Murtagh's room."

She Mentally huffed but begrudgingly let him down to walk on his own. Her anger now quelled for the time being but she still chided him.

"You should start calling him Tornac, Eragon. If you keep using his real name, there is a chance you could make a mistake and that would endanger him."

"Wasn't Tornac a famous swordsman? Surely the people would know that name."

"While true Eragon, Murtagh was taught by him, and both of you are evenly matched. There isn't another normal human alive that could match the two of you, that will aid in protecting him from being discovered."

She felt him place a hand on her side and the relief flowing from him as they followed the dwarf without another word. She loved how her partner could make her feel happy, giving a deep loving hum in return to his touch. Of course he could also frustrate her.

"That girl was pretty, and reminds of Arya."

LIke that.

She snorted, her happiness gone. Why did he have to mention that.. that girl?! Saphira fumed silently to herself when they got to Murtagh's room then the group wandered at a brisk pace to the bathing caverns. The ones meant for humans and dwarves were linked to the main corridor whereas Orik had to lead her back the way they came and took a right down a deserted hall to the giant archway leading to the dragons' pools. By the time she was at the bottom of the ramp she was growling, a snarl on her muzzle. Several scenarios swimming through her mind of HER Wrath liking that girl and ignoring her. She all but pounced into the nearest pool, imagining it was the girl, a look of terror on her face.

"The nerve of that girl getting Wrath alone! I bet she asked for it!"

With her mind in such a state, It was easy for Eragon to hear it and he sent calming thoughts to her.

"That is ridiculous Saphira. Why would a dragon even feel attracted to a human? Besides, how would that even work?"

Saphira dug her right foreclaw into the stone by the pool and cut deep grooves into it to stop herself from snapping out Wrath's secret. Instead she glared at her reflection in the sloshing water and responded. All the while the rubble and dirt she cut free began to tremble and shake before forming a tiny winged lizard about the size of her paw which then scurried up her tail and started to scratch and scrub her back scales.

"You remember what he said, Eragon. He was the only dragon living with humans for seventeen years. He accepted their culture, traditions, and VIEWS. That long is more than enough to twist any being's perspective."

She felt him ponder her words and with a huff, laid into the water then begin licking her forelegs then her wings clean as he made his reply.

"Even so Saphira, he only met her where he's known you ever since you hatched.. Which I still find strange. How did he even know your egg would be there? Out of the entire land, did he know it was going to show up near my village? Not the king, nor the elves, or the Varden knew. Then there's that strange object with strange music…"

"Eragon!"

"Sorry girl. My point is he knows you far better than her. But if you are still worried then you should talk to him soon rather than later. Speaking of, are you done? M-Tornac and I are getting dressed now. It feels good wearing something clean for a change."

She sent him her agreement and stood up, and stepped out of the water. Saphira heard the sound of pebbles hitting stone and when she turned her head, there was a small pile by her back left leg. After staring at it for a moment, snorted smoke and shook the last of the water off before leaving. She met up with the boys and with an urgent pace set by the dwarf, ventured off to meet this king Hrothgar everyone kept mentioning.

An hour later the group sat, or in Saphira's case, laid in one of the dwarven mess halls. Each one replaying their meeting with the Dwarf king. She was in the process on gnawing on the bloody haunch the cooks gave her while both boys talked of their opinions of him and then turned to what they wanted to do now they were back in civilization. Her only opinion was he was fair and just, with a kind heart, even treating her with respect. She did feel slightly bad for dampening their moods. Reminding them both.

"Do not forget, we still have lessons and training with Wrathion after his audience with the king is over."

Both of them grimaced, knowing how grueling his 'Lessons' were.

Murtagh looked around and at her rider then her.

Where is he? His meeting should've been immediately after ours. You don't think he did something and got in trouble do you?"

Eragon shook his head. "With how calm and sound he is? I highly doubt it. More likely he's got a lot to talk to the king about or something distracted him, or someone."

At that, Saphira paused briefly, then quickly finished her meal before getting to her paws. "I will go track him down, Should be simple enough tracking his scent. I will start at the Hall of kings."

Her rider made to rise but she stopped him, telling him she could go on her own and for both of them to meet them outside the city. Getting their reluctant acknowledgements, she left them to retrace her tracks to the protest of Orik. It didn't take long to reach it but once she did, the feeling of content fled upon seeing that girl standing before the doors and the guards. With a low growl alerting them, Saphira stomped up to her and lowered her head to glare at her. It pleased her to see how nervous she was making the young woman. Finding no reason for her to stay, She reached out with little care and spoke to her.

"I am here so there is no reason for you to remain, you may go."

She watched the girl swallow and when she opened her mouth, Saphira curled her lips in a snarl and hissed. That did the trick, the girl fled down the hall, giving Saphira a wide berth as she did. Once the human was gone, she sat on her haunches and turned her glare upon the guards. They wisely made no comment or eye contact with her. It was only a few moments later that the doors opened and the silver drake padded out only to come snout to snout with her. His expression was that of a youngling caught doing something he shouldn't.

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A/N

So yes your eyes aren't deceiving you, this is indeed a new chapter! I am very sorry for how long it took. RL is…. Well lets just say me being alive is the ONLY good thing lately.

BUT!

Even with my personal struggles, I made sure to sit down and write a lil bit here and there. Hope you enjoy.

Walkmanapprenticewordsmith: Aye, I know. Originally using bold on the Saphira sections was mostly a test to help see the differences between thought speech and normal and I guess It just stuck. XD

Once more a big thanks to Jordan and Undead for shoveling though this mess, I hope you all enjoy it.!